AFCON 2027 qualifiers: Patrick Vieira's first XI for Senegal to face Mozambique

25.09.26 FT AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations

Mozambique

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Senegal

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Senegal begin their Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying campaign this Friday in Maputo against Mozambique. For his first match in charge of the Lions of Teranga, Patrick Vieira has just confirmed his very first starting XI.

Yevann Diouf in goal, Koulibaly on the bench

With Édouard Mendy absent, having retired from international football, Vieira has placed his trust in Yevann Diouf to guard Senegal's goal. The surprise in central defence is that Kalidou Koulibaly starts on the bench. The new head coach has selected the centre-back pairing of Moussa Niakhaté and Sadibou Sané.

An experienced midfield and a reshuffled attack

In midfield, Vieira is relying on experience with the trio of Lamine Camara, Pape Gueye and Pape Matar Sarr. In attack, he must make do without Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr, both suspended following the events of the AFCON final in Morocco. To support Nicolas Jackson up front, Patrick Vieira has handed starts to Abdallah Sima and Assane Diao.

Objective: go top of Group J

Kick-off is at 13:00 GMT. The objective is clear for the Lions of Teranga. They must win away against the Mambas and move top of Group J before hosting Ethiopia on matchday 2 of the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers.

Nafongo TRAORE |

News Editorfr, ar, en

Nafongon Moussa TRAORE, Burkinabè de 25 ans, est passionné de football, est rédacteur pour Foot Africa et commentateur pour BurkiFoot.

Related teams and leagues

Mozambique

Senegal

AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations